THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 24, 1994 TAG: 9409240005
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 35 lines
I'm certainly delighted to know that we can look upon someone with a handicap in a positive way.
Last Saturday evening, Miss Alabama, Heather Whitestone, won the crown as the first deaf Miss America. The audience welcomed the young lady, not only because she was beautiful, graceful, talented and could communicate very well, but because of a certain air about her.
I felt it as I watched her move across the stage. She also brought to me a memory about a childhood friend of mine. Joyce Norwood was also deaf. Her handicap never posed a problem between us as friends. To me, she was as normal as the next person, but to others maybe not.
Joyce learned to communicate well by reading lips and paying close attention to others. At first, more than 30 years ago, she did not know sign language, but later learned and tried to teach it to me. Today, she does just that - teaches children sign language - and, just as Miss America, tells young people that anything is possible.
I learned from Joyce to be patient and speak more distinctly. We helped each other in many ways, and our friendship grew stronger.
Maybe the new Miss America can be a good friend to all of us, if we just have a little patience and give her a chance.
JOANNE C. BAILEY
Carrollton, Sept. 20, 1994 by CNB